France is one of the largest winemaking countries worldwide, producing up to 8 billion bottles of wine per year. Simply put, it plays a fundamental role in the wine industry. The French are quite proud of their wine—and for good reason. Strict policies govern every wine region. All aspects of the production process, from the selection of grape varieties and blending to bottling and labelling, are rigidly regulated.
Let’s delve into the wines of France.
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Italy produces some of the best varietal wines in the world. With the country’s 350 types of local grapes and 20 wine regions, finding a new bottle of Italian wine that suits your taste is easier said than done. Of all the imported wine you can get from Australian wine shops, Italy gives the most diverse selection.
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There are many things that can affect how wine tastes, and storage is one of them. There’s more to proper storage than just stuffing your bottles wherever it’s most convenient, which is why every wine connoisseur should always have a wine fridge at the ready.
Everyone knows that age makes all wine taste magnificent, but storage temperature also plays a crucial part in preserving flavour—so much so, in fact, that dedicated refrigerators were invented just to store bottles of wine. These specialised fridges create optimal storage conditions to keep your wine collection in top shape whenever you need them.
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Pristine waters, clean fresh air, mild summer temperatures and long autumn days—these are the elements that create the perfect setting for growing the best varieties of grapes in Tasmania, Australia. The cool climate and fertile soil allow grapes to ripen slowly on vines, enabling them to retain their natural acidity while developing a rich variety of flavours that are best for wines. Placed in the hands of the best winemakers, these fine grapes are marvellously transformed into exquisite wines that are unparalleled in quality and taste.
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(Updated on 23 June 2020 with new information)
Wine enthusiasts know that letting a good bottle of red or white breathe before drinking it significantly changes the tasting experience. It improves mouthfeel, expands the aromatic profile, enhances flavours and smoothens the finish.
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The vast Australian continent is home to incredibly diverse climate zones that have resulted in surreal desert landscapes, tropical rainforests and snow capped mountains. Huge expanses of the country are also dedicated to agriculture and farming, which has been the backbone of the Australian economy since foundation of the nation.
Can wine go bad? Most occasional wine drinkers don’t know the answer to that question. And if you happen to be one of them, the answer is yes.
Red wine is the perfect companion for special occasions. It is sipped at a leisurely pace that invites a growing sense of happiness and camaraderie among friends. Red wine relaxes inhibitions, fosters conversation and stimulates the mind and body with a warm and comforting glow. Speaking of temperature, did someone just say they prefer their red wine chilled? All eyes turn to the culprit as the convivial conversation quickly escalates into a debate, then a riot, as the sacred principle of warm red wine is foolishly challenged.
The names are similar. In fact, Syrah and Shiraz wines are made from the same variety of red grape. This leads many people to believe they are the same red wine with different names – called Syrah in France (and almost everywhere else) and Shiraz in Australia. However, as important as the grape is to wine production, it’s not the only thing that determines the taste. So what else is involved? Let’s backtrack a little and investigate Syrah and Shiraz.
Medical science is confirming what red wine drinkers have believed for decades – red wine drunk in moderation is good for you. The good-for-you / bad-for-you red wine debate has for a long time polarised opinions, mostly due to over zealous proponents from both sides, but when we put our prejudices aside a clearer picture begins to emerge. We all know that drinking too much alcohol of any type can be harmful but new evidence citing sensible and moderate drinking habits supports the health benefits of red wine.